We knew Cummins was up to big things, and just this week, they made it known. A press conference on Tuesday confirmed several developments at the Indiana-based company. Among them were the AEOS all-electric truck, and a look at the “super-efficient” X12 and X15 diesel engines. We caught up with Cummins’ Katie Zarich to hear more about these announcements.

With an eye to the future, Cummins is taking electric drivetrains seriously. Part and parcel of this is the AEOS, a concept truck.

The AEOS made its debut on Tuesday. Its name is a reference to Greek mythology. AEOS was the the horse that drove the chariot of the sun god, Helios, across the sky.

The AEOS’s heart is a 140-kilowatt/hour battery pack, weighing about the same as an equivalent 12-liter drivetrain. It has a GVWR of 75,000 pounds and can go about 100 miles on a single charge. With supplemental battery packs, it can add on an extra 200 miles of range. Its payload is 44,000 pounds, and the tractor weighs 18,000 pounds.

Drag-inducing side mirrors are removed in favor of hidden cameras that feed into an in-dash camera system. This plays into the AEOS’s acceleration rate, which is 25-35 percent faster than equivalent 11-12-liter diesel-powered vehicle. Regenerative braking and possible solar panels on the trailer roof can add to the AEOS’s capabilities, too.

Could the AEOS be the next big leap in the shipping market?

The Cummins X12. It’s a 12-liter, inline-six motor geared towards semi trucks. It’s rated for up to 475 horsepower and 1,700 lb-ft of torque. It weighs 2,050 pounds, making it one of the highest power-to-weight ratio powerplants on the market. Photo: Cummins Engines

Diesel-wise, Cummins has stated again and again that their commitment to the fuel is unwavering. Zarich emphasized this, saying, “We believe there will be many types of power solutions in the market in the future, and when it’s the right time for our customers to move to the something else, we’ll be there. We’re not recommending a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to electric; we believe diesel, natural gas, and electric will be important for many years to come.”

The X12 and X15 are new developments for Cummins, and release earlier this year. The X12 is a 12-liter engine, while the X15 is a 15-liter engine. “We have seen lots of great feedback on hte X15,” said Zarich. “It touts better fuel economy and durability than our previous diesel motors. It also has longer service intervals. Many of the leading OEMs like Paccar, Swift Transportation, and Wal-Mart are reporting good things.”

The X15 is a 15-liter engine, also geared towards semi trucks. It’s rated up to 500 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque. Photo: Cummins Engines

The X12 and X15 are both equipped with what’s called the “single module aftertreatment.” This is a system that basically helps the engines meet emissions standards, while also reducing maintenance intervals throughout the life of the engine.

This press conference also made mention of a heavy-duty diesel engine coming in 2022. Details are tight regarding what it will entail exactly, but it will be intended for Class 8 vehicles – mainly semi trucks.

What do you think of these announcements from Cummins? Let us know in the comments below.